A TEESSIDE man said he felt "used" after he was told to carry out 30 hours of unpaid work for eight weeks - or lose his £50-a-week Jobseeker's Allowance.

The Government’s work experience scheme has been hit by well-publicised controversy.

James Moorehead, 24, from Billingham, carried out 30 hours of unpaid work at Maplin Electronics, in Teesside Park, for eight weeks. He was sent a letter by the Government saying that if he did not do or complete it he could lose his benefits.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has now changed its policy, saying 16 to 24-year-olds who leave placements after a week will only lose benefits for gross misconduct.

A spokeswoman said the scheme “remains and is totally voluntary”, adding: “We are offering young jobseekers the opportunity to get invaluable work experience which plays a vital part in helping people get into the jobs market.”

She added that - “despite the persistent campaign of the last two weeks - more than 200 small or medium enterprises remained interested.

James graduated from Teesside University last June after studying computer games programming, but failed to find a job.

“I signed up to the Jobseeker’s Allowance as I thought they would be able to help me find work,” he said. It paid £50 a week.

“They firstly put me on a two-week, nine-to-five, post in Middlesbrough doing some admin work,” he added. “I was told there would be an interview at the end of it, but I never got that.”

James was then told about a position at Maplin. “I got the impression from the Jobcentre that it was going to be part-time but - when I turned up on the first day - I was told it was going to be 30 hours for eight weeks,” he said.

James received a letter from his Jobcentre Plus office informing him that, if he failed to either start or complete the work experience, then “any future payments of Jobseeker’s Allowance could cease” - or be paid at a lower rate.

“I felt like I had to do it,” he said. “I didn’t have a problem with the work.

“I think people should work if they get benefits - but I got £50 a week and I was doing a lot more hours than that is worth. But I didn’t blame Maplin.”

James was offered 12 hours of work a week with the electronics firm afterwards.

He is working with Five Lamps, a Thornaby-based charity which helps people find work, to secure funding for a video games review website he writes.

He said of the Government’s new policy was “a step in the right direction”.